Can opener



p 1941- c. A. ARNESEN 2,255,640

CAN OPENER Filed April 30, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l ge /I/AZZWEHIII 1.9 h. 29 50 i 1 \k 21 Wag; f

" l Invenfor I V4041, I652. f 7% Sept. 9, 1941. c. A. ARNESEN CAN OPENER Filed April 30, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z e/LArnc-zsen C/zarZo flz orne ys.

Sept. 9, 1941- c. A. ARNESEN CAN OPENER Filed April 30, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I; 7////JV/ w m I 34 r Z Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,255,640 t I Charlotte i xlfzgcago, Application 30, 1938, Serial No. 295,159 16 Claims (01. 30-13) The invention relates to devices for opening sheet metal cans used as containers for food products and other commodities and more particularly to can openers for circumferentially severing an end member from the can body.

Can openers made in accordance with this invention are especially adapted for use in opening cans of the general type described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 58,089, filed January 8, 1936. Cans of this general type are provided with an end member secured to a can body by an improved form of double seam in which an annular head is formed exteriorly of the side wall of the can and is adapted for penetration by a cutting implement in such manner that the severed end member may subsequently be used as a slip-cover lid for the can.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved can opener adapted, to sever circumferentially the end member from a can of the type described in such manner that the severed end member forms a smooth edge tight fitting slip-cover for the can.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual purpose can opener which can be readily .used for opening either ordinary cans or cans of the type referred to my copending application.

Still another object of the invention is to pro- 30 vide in a can opener for severing the end memher from a can of thewtype described having a circumferential cutter-penetrable bead on the side thereof, an improved supporting structure for maintaining the cutter of the device in accurate alinement with the bead.

above described in tively in its inoperative and upper end of the base plate;

Fig.5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4; I

Fig. 6 is a detail transverse sectional view along the line 8-6 in Fig. 5; i:eFig. '7 is a detail perspective view of the cut- Fig. 8 is a detail transverse sectional view along the line 8-8 in Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of cutter element.

' 'Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of can opener capable of use in opening both the special and standard cans.

A further object of the invention is to provide Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side view showing de-'- tails of the supporting bracket.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged edge elevational view of the can opener of Fig. 10 applied to a can with a peripheral cutter-penetrable bead and with thecutter in operative position.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view with the cutter out of operative position.-

Fig. 14 is an enlarged edge elevation of the canopener of Fig. 10 applied to an ordinary can which doesnot have a peripheral cutter-penetrable bead.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of asecond moditiiied form of can opener embodying the invenion.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the can opener of Fig. 15 applied to a peripherally beaded can.

Figs. 17 and 18 are rear elevations of the can opener of Fig. 15 showing the cutter disk 'respectively advanced and retracted into and out of penetrating engagement with a can bead,

40 Fig. 17 being partly in section.

to manufacture being fashioned largely from sheet metal, and which is effective in operation as well as easy to manipulate.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following de-' scription proceeds taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can opener especially adapted for opening cans of the type above referred to.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the front of. the can opener shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the can opener of Fig. 1 applied to a can with the cutter disposed respec- Fig. 19 is a perspective view of another modiiied form of can opener embodying the invenion.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the can opener of Fig. 19 applied to a can having. a peripheral cutter-penetrable bead.

Fig. 21 is a rear elevation partly in section of the can opener of Fig. 19.

As above stated, my improved can opener is especially constructed for use in opening cans of the type disclosed in my said copending application Serial No. 58,089, in which the usual or ordinary can construction is modified so as to provide an annular cutter-penetrable space externally of the side wall of the can. In the drawings I have showna can of this type comprising an annular operative positions; Fig. 4' is a detail view of the inner. side of the body or side wall It and an end wall ll secured to the side wall by means of an interlocking double seam l2. As an incident to the formation of the seam l2 a hollow annular bead I3 is formed which projects outwardly a short distance from the seam proper and forms an annular space l3- adapted to receive the edge of a cutter so as to insure that in opening the can only a single thickness of metal need be cut. The end wall II has a peripheral flange M, the edge portion be capable of opening only cans 'of the type having the hollow cutter-penetrable bead I3. In another embodiment of the invention (Figs. to 14) the opening tool is constructed so as to accomplish the dual purpose of opening the specially constructed canand also cans of standard construction, thereby enlarging the field of use. 5 In carrying out my invention, I employ acutting element preferably in the form of a disk l1 having a cutting. edge It with a beveled outer face, and this disk is mounted in a supporting structure or bracket l9 providing spacing and guiding members cooperating with the inner bearing shoulder l6 and with the side wall of the can. In addition means is provided for moving the cutting edge through a predetermined distance into piercing or penetrating relation to the bead and clamping the opener firmly upon the canpreliminary to the operation of removing the cover bycausing the implement to travel circumferentially of the can. i

1 In the preferred form of my special can the bead l3 (Figs. 3 and 13) projects outwardly from the seam I! a small fractiomas, for example, one thirty-second of an inch so thatthe underside of the bead is adapted for penetration by the cutting edge l8 disposed outwardly of the body flange l5. Thus by cutting the bead circumferentially, the end wall ll together with a part of the flangell may be removed, the portion thus removed constituting an end member forming a slip cover which may be replaced upon the'can with a telescoping'fit. It is important thatthe cutter be supported with its cutting edge It disposed closely adjacent the outer side of the body flange I5 of'the seam so as to clear the same, the proportions being such that the cutting edge is disposed substantially centrally of the radially. "enlarged downwardly facingshoulder formed by the head at the bottom of the seam.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to5, the cutter disk I1 is journaled in a supporting struclture preferably of a character such as to be capable of being stamped from sheet metal. As shown it comprisesthe base or bracket I! having an integral hook-like projection or abutment l9 at the upper end thereof which is arranged to fit over the double seam l2 at the top of the can and bear against its inner surface l6. Extensions l9 on each side of the projection l9- bear against the top of the seam I2 so as to prevent rocking of the bracket is from side to side.

I In order to space the cutter disk II from the side of the can, so that it will be properly posiitioned relative to the body flange ii to clear the same, an abutment orflnger is bent out from theloweredgeof the bracket. The finger 20 is preferably so dimensioned that a small clearance will be maintained between the inner face of the cutter disk and the side wall of the can. By thus supporting the can opener from the top of the can, and accurately gauging the location of the cutter disk with respect to the side wall of the can, the cutter can be positioned with a nice degree of accuracy with-respect to the bead which 1 it is to sever.

To enable shifting of the cutter ll into penetrating engagement with the bead l3 after it has been alined therewith, the cutter is mounted eccentrically on a bushing 2| journaled in the bracket IS. A hub 22 projecting outwardly from and integral with the cutter disk I1 is journaled eccentrically in this bushing. The bushing itself is retained in position on the base plate It! by a ,v flange 23 (Fig. 5) on the inner end of the bushing and a handle or lever 2 fast on the opposite end portion of the bushing: The sides of the outer end of the bushing are flattened as indicated at 25 (Fig. 6) so'as toprevent relative movement between it and the complemental recess in the lever 24 which receives the outer end of the bushing.

In view of the eccentric position of the-cutter disk I'I it may be positioned below the level of the bead l3, so that the can opener can be readstruck out from the sides of the base plate l9 form stops for limiting the arc of movement of the clamping lever 24.

Rotation of the cutter I1 is herein accom- I I plished by a wing nut type of handle or finger piece 21 made fast to the outer end of the cutter disk hub 22 by a pin 28 (Fig. 5) fitted in a complemental slot 29 (Fig. '7). A screw 30 holds the parts in assembled relation.

The cutter i1 is caused to advance circumferentially about the can as an incident to its rotary movement, by the frictional engagement of a part of the cutter with the can. As shown in Figs. 5 and 7 the cutter has a knurled or toothed boss 32 formed on its inner face and adapted when the cutter disk I! is forced upwardly by the lever 24 into penetrating engagement with the bead I3, to engage with the under a side of the seam 12 adjacent the side of the can.

Consequently, when the cutter disk I1 is rotated by the handle 21, the boss 32 will engage with the under side of the seam I2 on the can and advance the cutter circumferentially about it.

It will be seen that in the operation of the cutter the beveled cutting edge I8 serves to turn the severed edges of the bead inwardly against adjoining parts of the seam (Fig. 5), so as to avoid the exposure of rough sharp edges. Preferably the inner face of the cutting edge i8 more clearly in the case of i Fig. 16. I

may be toothed as shown at 3| (Fig. 9) to provide the desired driving engagement, and it is desirably slightly beveled in a manner shown the cutter shown in In the operation of the can opener device described, the cutter disk I1 is first retracted to its lowermost position (Figs. 1 and 3) by shifting the lever 24 to'theposition shown in Fig. 3. The supporting projection I! on the bracket I9 is then hooked-over the top of the can and the bracket l9 swung downwardly into position until the guide finger 20 contacts the side wall of the can, at which time the cutter disk I! is accurate- 1y alined with the lower side of the cutter-penetrable bead it. The lever 24 is then swung to the left through an arc of 180 until it occupies the position shown in Fig. 4 at which time the cutter l1 occupies its uppermost position, having been forced into penetrating engagement with the bead I! by this movement of the locking or cutter shifting lever 24.

To complete the opening operation, the operator simply rotates the handle 21, preferably in a clockwise direction, thereby causingthe knurled boss 32 to roll about the shoulder on the bottom of the can seam and move the cutter disk ll circumferentially about the can while it is retained in penetrating engagement with the bead. It will be seen-that after the cutter has been forced through the bead, the cutting edge penetrates the space l3 and following the line of least resistance follows along the space circumferentially of the can, the said edge penetrating the space along the line disposed externally of the body flange II. The bead is dimensioned so that the space formed thereby is small, the edge of the cutter coacting in its movement circumferentially of the can with the inturned severed edge portion of the bead. Thus the space forming the bead coacts with the cutter in guiding the implement around the can. Also it will be seen that the construction of the implement is such as to maintain a predetermined spaced relation between the face of the hook portion engaging with the inner face of the upstanding seam and the inner face of the cutting edge portion I 8, thereby insuring that the cutting edge will penetrate the bead in properly spaced relation to the side wall of the can. This guiding function of the cutter penetrable space has been found to be of special importance in that irrespective of the diameter of the can the same implement may be used. When the cutter has moved completely about the can the end wall l'l together with a part of the seam I2 is fully severed from the can body and the end member thus formed provides a convenient well fitting slip-cover as was previously described.

As shown in Fig. 4' the hook l9 has a rounded or arcuate inner side i8 for engagement with the inner side of the seam l2. found to be desirable in order to permit the bracket i9 to shift slightly on a vertical axis when the cutter traverses the longitudinal seam (not shown) joining the edges of the sheet which forms the side wall ll of the can.

The can opener illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14 is in general similar in construction to the device shown in Figs. 1 to 5, but is modified so that it can also be used to open ordinary cans as well as cans having a peripheral cutter-penetrable bead. The general utility of this device is increased by this modification in construction since it is not necessary to have on hand particular types of openers for opening special types of cans. The same reference numerals have'been used for identical parts.

The modification of the can opener of Figs. 1 to 6 to adapt it for the opening of standard cans involves only small changes in the supporting bracket and cutter disk, with little if any increase in cost. Referring to Fig. 10, 33 desig- This has been for engaging the seam II. A bushing 2| having a lever 24 fast thereon is Journaled in this base plate and carries an eccentrically located cutter disk 34. The cutter disk 34 is generally similar to the cutter disk i'l described above except that it has an outer beveled surface I! (Fig. 12') knurled to form a toothed annulus frictionally engageable with the can. If desired the'boss 34' on the inner face of the cutter disk may also be toothed as in the previously described form, although this is not necessary.

The lower end of the bracket is provided in this instance with a finger 38 performing the dual function of a lower guide when the can opener is used on a can having a peripheral cutter-penetrable bead I 3 (Figs. 12 and 13) and of an upper guide and hook when used on a standard can (Fig. 14). The finger 36 is especially shaped for the performance of its dual function by providing a bearing surface I! and a pro- Jecting tip 38 bent reversely toward the bracket proper.

In utilizing this can opener to sever the end member I! from a can provided with the peripheral cutter-penetrable bead H the lever 24 is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 13 so as to space the cutter disk 34 a maximum distance from the upper hook Is". The hook is then engaged over the seam l2 and against the bearing surface lli whereupon the bracket is swung downwardly until the bearing surface 31 of the finger 36 contacts the side of the can. The lever 24 is then swung through an arc of 180 to shift the eccentrically supported cutter disk 34 into piercing engagement with the bead IS, the arc of movement of the lever 24 being limi-ted by lugs 26 struck out from the bracket 33. By rotating the cutter disk 34 the device is caused to move I cireumferentiaily about the can by the frictional nates the modified bracket which, like the base plate or bracket is of Figs. 1 and 2, is preferably fashioned as a stamping from sheet metal and has the same form of hook and guide lugs engagement of the knurled beveled surface 35 with the severed outer edge of the bead l3 and additionally, in the present instance, by the engagement of the boss 34 with the underside of the bead. As shown in Fig. 12, the outer beveled face of the cutter acts upon the outer severed edge portion of the seam with a cam action foreing the same upwardly and outwardly, thereby producing a circumferential expansion of the metal to facilitate removal of the severed end wall; and when the inner face of the cutter is beveled as shown in Fig. 16, this surface acts with a cam action upon the inner severed edge of the metal of the seam to hold the hook portion l9 against the inner face of the upstanding seam. This latter feature has been found to be of substantial importance in that it serves to prevent the cutting edge from working inwardly into the crevice between the seam and the can body, and since outward movement is positively prevented by the hook l9", the cutter is properly guided relative to the annular space It. In securing the can opener on the can, a lug 4| engages the side of the can during the initial positioning operation soas to prevent inadvertent skewing of the device. By this means alinement of the cutter 34 with the bead I3 is positively insured. The inner end of the lug 4| is preferably located so that when the can opener is finally in position with the cutter in penetrating engagement with the bead, there will be a small clearance between the lug and the adjacent can wall.

In utilizing the can opener to open an ordinary can (Fig. 14) the eccentric mounting of the cutter is employed but in this case in a manner .as to move the the hook 31 and It will be seen (Fig. 14) that when the device is thus applied to a can it occupies a position *inclined somewhat from the horizontal withrthe lknurled beveled surface 35 clamped against the under side of the seam l2. sthe cutter the device is caused to travel circum- Thus by rotating fferentially about the can to completely sever the end wall from the body portion.

In order to.support the can opener firmly in position on the can when arranged as shown in Fig. 14 a pair of lugs39 and 40 are formed on the side edges of the bracket 33. These lugs bear jagainst the top of, the double seam l2 on the upper end' of the can so as to prevent sidewise j tilting of the can opener, and the lug 40 is preferably notched to form a shoulder 4| engageable iwith the outer side of the seam to hold the opener against twisting on an upright axis incident to the rotation of the cutter with a right 1 hand turning movement.

The can opener illustrated in Figs. 15 to 18 is 1 of Fig. 15 is especially designed for the opening 50f cans having a peripheral cutter-penetrable bead.

Referring to Fig. 15,;42 designates a modified Q form of supporting bracket for the device which i is preferably fashioned as a stamping from sheet 5 metal.

The same form of hook I9 and lugs quite similar in operation and general construc- 1 tion to that shown in Figs. 1 to 5 but is modified 1 so as to minimize the cost of. construction. As l in the case of the can opener of Fig. 1, the device i9 have been provided at the upper end of the bracket, as in the case of the device of Fig. 1, l for engaging the seam i2 on the top of the can.

: This bracket supports a cutter disk 43, having 1 A lever or'handle 41 serves to move the cutter disk43 vertically into and out of penetrating 1 engagement with the peripheral can bead l3. 1 This lever may also be formed from sheet metal 5 and is provided with an integral yoke 48 at its Q inner end which embraces the lower portion of 3 the bracket 42.

isjournaled in th upper end of. this yoke 48 The hub 48 on the cutter disk (Fig. 16) and the yoke is in turn movably conits outer face beveled as in the case of thecutter 3 11 (Fig. 5) and also having a beveled inner face 1 44 which is preferably serrated or knurled for f biting engagement withthe inner severed edge 1 of the seam. Rather than utilizing the eccen- 1 tric mounting of Fig. 1 for the cutter disk, how-' ever, 'it is movably mounted on the bracket 42 r l by a pinvand slot connection formed bya vertical 1 a elongated slot 45 (Fig. 1'1) in the bracket 42 i and an integral hub or pin 46 on the cutter disk. 1 The cutter disk can, therefore, be moved verti- 3 cally into and out of penetrating engagement with the peripheral bead 13 on the can by shifting the hub 46 along the slot 45. v

41 can be readily swung from the position of Fig. 18 in which the cutter disk 43 is retracted to the position of Fig. 1'? and in which the cutter disk is moved upwardly into penetrating engagement with the bead l3.

A wing-nut type handle 5i, fast on the squared outer end of the cutter disk hub 48, is used for rotating the cutter disk after it has been placed in piercing engagement with the bead 13. Any axial shifting movement ofthe cutter disk with respect to the yoke 48 is prevented by the hub of the handle 5| bearing against the outer face of the yoke and a cooperating shoulder 52 (Fig. 16) on the hub 48 which bears against theinner face of the yoke. Similarly, axial movement of the pin 50 is prevented by a shoulder 53" bearing against the inner face of the yoke and its peened outer end 54 on the outer face of the yoke. An enlarged head 55 on the inner end of the pin 50 is dimensioned to bear against the adjacent side wall of the can l0 so as to aline the cutter disk 43 with the lower side of the bead 13.

In the operation of the device of Figs. 15 to 18, the lever 41 is first swung upwardly to the position indicated in Fig.18, thereby retracting the cutter disk 43 away from the top of the bracket 42. The hook I9 is then engaged with a "shoulder l2 on the top of the can and the bracket- 42 swung downwardly until the head 55 of the pin 50 engages the can wall to aline the cutter disk with the lower side of the bead l3. The lever 41 is .then swung downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 17 so that the cutter disk 43 is forced upward and pierces the lower side of the bead and the can opener device frictionally secured in position on the can. Thereafter, the handle 5| is rotated and the device is advanced circumferentially about the can by the frictional engagement of the knurled inner face 44 of the cutter disk with the severed inner edge of the bead. As the cutter advances about the can the bead is severed by the cutter disk. In such movement the beveled outer face acts upon the outer severed edge of the bead to force the same upwardly and somewhat outwardly with a cam action. At the same time the inner face of the cutter acts upon the inner severed edge portion of the seam also with a cam action forcing the hook portion I8 against the inner face of the upstanding seam. and folding the inner severed edge of the metal upwardly against the body flange i5.

Figs. 19 to 21 illustrate a form of can opener also generallysimilar'to that of Fig. 1 but in which the construction has been still further simplified in order to minimize its cost. Referring to Fig. 19, it will be. seen that this device embodies-a bracket 58 which is preferably fashioned as a stamping from sheet metal and which is provided at its upper end with a hook l9 identical with the similar part of Fig. 1. Lugs 51 and 58 are also fashioned at the upper edge of the bracket but the lug 58 is of substantially greater area than the lug 51 since it is required to withstandthe greater force with the particular type of cutter used in this device. An integral lug 59 in the lower edge of the bracket is fashioned with an arcuate end surface adapted to engage the side wall of the can and cooperate with the hook I! as well as the lugs 51-58 to position the cutter device in accurate alinement below the cutter penetrable bead l3 on the can. In the instant device, the cutter has been shown as a blade 61 having a curved cutting edge. This blade is fast on a squared pin 64 journaled by a bushing 84 in the bracket ll. To oscillate the blade into and out of penetrating engagement with the bead IS an operating handle or lever 82 is fixed on the outer end of the pin ll. Downward movement of the handle is limited by a cooperating lug l struck out from the bracket 58.

In the operation of the device of Figs. 19 to 21, the handle 2 is first shifted upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 19 so as to retract the blade SI awa'y from the top of the bracket. The upper end of the bracket is then hooked over the top of the can and the bracket is swung down until the lug it engages the side wall of the can thereby accurately positioning the blade 6| below the bead IS. The handle 82 is then-pushed up and down so as to swing the blade 6| alternately into and out of engagement with the bead, thereby slitting the lower side ofthe bead for a distance substantially equal to the length of the blade at each engagement. After each piercing engagement of the blade with the bead, the bracket is advanced circumferentially about the can a short distance as, for example, from the full line position of Fig. 21 to the dot-dash line position thereof. The severing operation is repeated at each point in the step by step movement about the periphery of the can until the can end member has been completely severed. Preferably each advancing movement of the device is rather short and the blade not completely withdrawn from the cut so that smoothly severed edges will be formed on the bead. The angle of thehandle 62 with respect to the bracket 56 makes it possible to advance the can opener step by step about the can by simply pushing on the handle to advance the device the required distance for each step. A common handle is thus used not only to shift the cutter into and out of engagement with the bead, but also to advance it about the can periphery.

I claim as my invention:

1. A dual purpose can opener operable alternatively to open cans fashioned either with or .without an annular cutter-penetrable bead located exteriorly of the can body comprising, in combination, a base, a bushing joumaled in said base and having a cutter disk eccentrically mounted thereon, opposed abutments on said base on opposite sides of said bushing and alternatively engageable with the top of the can, one of said abutments being fashioned to engage the can top and support said base with said disk 4 lying closely adjacent the exterior of said can in alinement with a cutter-penetrable bead thereon,

the other of said abutments being fashioned to bear against the exterior can wall when said one abutment is in engagement with the can top and alternatively to engage the top of the can, means including said" other abutment for alternatively retaining said base slanting outwardly from'the can with said cutter disk in penetrating engagement with the can side wall, and a lever on said bushing for rotating the same to'shift said cutter disk toward and away from either of said abutments.

2. A dual purpose can opener operable alternatively to open cans fashioned either with or without an annular cutter-penetrable bead located exteriorly of the can body comprising, in combination, a base, a cutter disk, means supporting said disk on said base for rotation and for bodily shifting movement radially of the disk, supporting means on said base for engaging the top of the can to support the same on the side teriorly located annular cutter-penetrable bead thereon, said projection being fashioned to engage the top of the can when the device is turned end for end for operation upon a can without such a bead.

3. In a dual purpose can opener the combination or a base, a bushing journaled in said base, a cutter disk journaled eccentrically on said bushing, means including opposed abutments on said base at opposite sides of said disk cooperating therewith to engage a portion of a can interposed between either side of the disk and the adjacent abutment, and means for oscillating said bushing to shift said cutter toward one abutment or the other.

4. In a can opener for use in removing an end member having an axially projecting annular shoulder and united to a can body in such manner as to form an annular cutter-penetrable bead externally of the can body, the combination of a sheet metal base having guide means thereon adapted to overlie the annular shoulder and bear against the inner side thereof to support said base in depending position on the side of the can, said base having vertical and horizontal slots therein, a cutter disk, a .pin on said disk extending through said vertical slot guiding said disk for vertical movement on said base into and out of penetrating engagement with the bead, means including a manual operating handle having an extension thereon for shifting said cutter disk vertically, said pin being journaled on said extension, means including a second pin in said horizontal slot and engaging said handle for supporting the same on said base, and means for rotating said disk.

5. In a can opener for use in removing an end member having an axially projecting annular shoulder and united to a can body in such manner as to form an annular cutter-penetrable bead externally of the can body, the combination of a sheet nietal bracket having a hook-shaped projection fashioned on the upper end thereof to overlie the annular shoulder and bear against the inner Side thereof, said bracket having vertical and horizontal slots therein, a revolvable cutterdisk, a pin on said disk extending through said vertical slot guiding said disk for vertical movement on said bracket into and out of penetrating engagement with the lower slide of the bead, means including a manual operating lever having a yoke thereon embracing said bracket for shifting said cutter disk in a generally vertical direction, said pin being journaled in said yoke, a second pin secured to said lever and extending through said horizontal slot for movably supporting said lever on said bracket, said second pin having an extension thereon disposed for engagement with the can wall to aline said cutter disk with the bead, and means for rotating said disk to advance the same circumferentially about the can while in penetrating engagement with the bead.

upstanding seam.

the cutter with its edge inserted upwardly through-the bottom wall of said bead and into said space, said means comprising a bracket having a part engageable with the inner face ofithe upstanding seam, and means for effecting a relative shifting'movement between the cutter and bracket, said cutter having an inner beveled face engageable with the inner severed edge of the seam to hold said part on the bracket in! engagement with the said inner face of the 17. A'device for opening cans of the type comprlising a cylindricalbody and an end wall sesured. thereto" in an upstanding double interlocking seam fashioned to provide an' annular outwardly protruding bead forming an annular relative circumferential movement between the having acam surfaceon the side of the cutter remote from the body, and means for imparting can body and the cutter, said cam surface being engageable with theouter'severed edge portion of the seam and operative in such relative circumferential movement to force said severed edge portion upwardly and outwardly.

I 10. A device for opening cans having a cylindrical body and an end wall secured, thereto in an upstanding double interlocking seam com prising a flange on the body and a flange on the end wall interlocking withthe body flange and shaped to form an annular outwardly protrud cutter'penetrable space, said device comprising a rotarycutter having a cutting edge, a bracket for supporting said cutter at the side of the can body with the axis of the cutter disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of the [can body, said bracket having guide means engageable with the upper edge of the upstanding seam and also with the inner face thereof,

means for effecting a relative shifting movement between the bracket and the cutter to force said cutting edge through the bottom wall of said bead and into said space, and means for rotating the cutter, said cutter having a serrated inner face engageable with the inner severed edge of the seam to effect relative circumferential movement between-the cutter and the can and to serrate said inner severed edge.

38. A device for opening cans-of the type comprising a cylindrical body and an end wall sesured thereto in an upstanding double interlocking seam fashioned to provide an annular outwardly protruding bead forming an annular cutter penetrable space', said device comprising alrotary cutter having a cutting edge, a bracket for supporting said cutter at the side of the can body with the axis of the cutter disposed substantially perpendicular to the axisof the can body, said bracket having guide means engageable with the upper edge of the upstanding seam and also with the inner face thereof, means for effecting a relative shifting movement between the bracket and the cutter to force said cutting edge through the bottom wall of said bead and into said space, and means for rotating the cutter, said cutter having a beveled inner face engageable with the inner severed edge of the seam to hold said guide means against the inner face of the upstanding seams, and said inner face of the cutter being serrated to effect relative circumferential movement between the cutter and the can in the rotation of v the cutter;

9. Adevice for opening cans having a cylindrical body and an end wall secured thereto in end wall interlocking with the body flange and of the upstanding seam and serving to position the bracket along the side of the can body, said cutter being mounted in said bracket and ing bead.providin g an annular cutter penetrable space in said seam, saidv device comprising a rotary cutter having a cutting edge, means for supporting and guiding the cutter with its edge inserted through the bottom wall of said bead and into said space, said means comprising a bracket having at one end a transverse lug with adepending guide engageable with the inner face of the upstanding seam and bearing members at opposite sides of said lug and engageable with the top face of the seam whereby to support the bracket along the side of the can body, said cutter being mounted in said bracket substantially in vertical alinement' with said lug and having its cutting edge positioned in a plane spaced outwardly from said guide so as toengage said bottom wall of the bead at a point outwardly of the body flange to clear the same,

means for effecting a relative shifting movement between the bracket and the cutter, and means for rotating the cutter, said guide having rounded portions spaced apart circumferentially of the can for guiding engagement with said inner face of the seam.

11. A device for opening cans having a cylindrical body and an end wall secured thereto in an upstanding double interlockingv seam fashioned to provide an annular bead protruding outwardly at the bottom of the 'seamand forming an annular cutter penetrable space externally of the can body, said device comprising a rotary cutter having a peripheral cutting edge, means for supporting and guiding the cutter with its edge inserted through the bottom wall of said bead, said means comprising a bracket having a I rigid hook at one end engageable with the upper I and inner faces of the upstanding seam, said bracket being adapted to be suspended by said 'prising a flange on the body and a flange on the hook along the side of the can body and having a rotary member journaled therein and a lever for rotating said member, said cutter being mounted eccentrically of said member and being 1 movable in the movement of the lever from an upright position above the can downwardly toward the can to force said cutting edge through said bottom wall of the bead and into said space, and said bracket having a bearing member engageable with the upper face of the seam at a point spaced to one side of the hook in the direction-of movement of said lever from said up- 1 right position.

flange and shaped to form an annular outwardly protruding bead providing an annular cutter penetrable space, said device comprising a cutter j disk, a bracket for supporting and guiding the cutter below said seam with the inner face of the cutter closely adjacent the sideof the can body, and means for eifecting a relative shifting movement between the cutter and said bracket, said cutter having a cutting edge positioned to engage with the bottom wall of the bead outwardly of to hold said bracket positively against turning I on a horizontal axis.

but closely adjacent to'said body flange, and said shifting means'being operative to move said outter througha distance substantially greater than the thickness of the metal forming the bottom wall of the bead to force the severed edges of the metal upwardly into said space.

13. A device for opening cans having a cylindrical body and an end wall secured thereto in an upstanding double interlocking seam shaped to form an annular bead protruding outwardly from the bottom of the seam to form a radially enlargeddownwardly-facing shoulder and providing an annular cutter penetrable space in said seam, said device comprising a cutter having a cutting edge, andguiding and supporting means for the cutter engageable with the upper and inner faces of the upstanding seam and supporting said cutter below said seam with its cutting edge positioned for engagement with said downwardly facing shoulder substantially centrally thereof.

14. A device for opening cans having a cylindrical body and an end wall secured thereto in an upstanding double interlocking seam fashioned to provide at the bottom of the seam an annular outwardly protruding bead forming an annular cutter penetrable space, said device comprising a cutter having a cutting edge, a bracket for supporting the cutter at the side of the can body having guide means engageable with the upper edge of the upstanding seam and also with the inner face thereof, and means for effecting a relative shifting movement between the cutter and bracket to force said cutting edge through the bottom wall of the seam into said annular space, said guide means having a bearing surface engaging said seam at opposite sides of a vertical 15. A device for opening cans having a cylindrical body and an end wall secured thereto in an upstanding double interlocking seam fashioned to provide at the bottom of the seam an annular outwardly protruding bead forming an annular cutter penetrable space, said device comprising a cutter having a cutting edge, a bracket for supporting the cutter at the side of the can body having guide means engageable with the upper edge of the upstanding seam and also with the inner face thereof, and means for effecting a relative shifting movement between the cutter and bracket to force said cutting edge through the bottom wall of the seam into said annular space, said guide means providing a bearingsurface engaging with the upper edge of the seam at a point offset relative to the axis of the cutter to hold the bracket positively against turning on a horizontal axis.

16. A device for opening cans having a cylindrical body and an end wall secured thereto in an upstanding double interlocking seam fashioned center line passing through the axis of the cutter to provide at the bottom of the seam an annular outwardly protruding bead forming an annular cutter penetrable space, said device comprising a cutter having a cutting edge, a bracket for supporting the cutter at the side of the can body having guide means engageable with the upper edge of the upstanding seam and also with the inner face thereof, and means for effecting a relative shifting movement between the cutter and bracket to force said cutting edge through the bottom wall of the seam into said annular space, said guide means comprising a bearing lug integral with the upper edge of the bracket and providing a flat bearing surface engageable with the upper edge of the seam and coacting therewith to hold the bracket against turning on a horizontal azis.

CHARLOTTE A. ARNESEN. 

